Abstract: Shoes and/or shoe elements facilitate natural foot motion and/or reduce forces tending to fight natural foot motion. In at least some such structures, a wearer's heel is secured to the hindfoot region of a shoe (e.g., by a strap system) in a manner that permits heel/forefoot rotation and that allows the lower leg to remain straight. In other structures, a shoe can include a heel supporting component that is separate from a midsole component, and this heel supporting component can move toward the lateral side and/or medial side of the shoe along an interface between the heel supporting component and the midsole component. Other suitable shoe and shoe component structures also are described.

Abstract: Shoes and/or shoe elements facilitate natural foot motion and/or reduce forces tending to fight natural foot motion. In at least some such structures, a wearer's heel is secured to the hindfoot region of a shoe (e.g., by a strap system) in a manner that permits heel/forefoot rotation and that allows the lower leg to remain straight. In other structures, a shoe can include a heel supporting component that is separate from a midsole component, and this heel supporting component can move toward the lateral side and/or medial side of the shoe along an interface between the heel supporting component and the midsole component. Other suitable shoe and shoe component structures also are described.

Abstract: According to the various embodiments of the present disclosure, footwear with an enhanced toe post is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the footwear may comprise a sole portion to support and protect a wearer's foot, a strap portion attached to the sole to bind the footwear to a wearer's foot, and at least one toe post passing between a wearer's toes constructed at least partially of memory foam or other cushioning materials.

Abstract: Shoes are adapted to include surfaces with stick-on capabilities for securing interchangeable pieces. The stick-on surfaces support multiple design tags allowing the versatility to change the appearance of the shoes. The shoe's stick-on surfaces repeatedly allow attaching and detaching of design tags at the user's convenience. The construction of the design tags will replicate flat and level surfaces found on standard shoes to give the appearance of embroidered on tags.

Abstract: The invention relates to a footwear kit and method of providing a footwear kit comprising a forepart that can be removably attached to both a left shoe and a right shoe, in which the shoes are substantially asymmetric about a line running from the front to the back of the shoe, and in which the periphery of the forepart substantially matches the periphery of the toe region of both the left shoe and the right shoe.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a chamber that encloses a pressurized fluid. The chamber includes subchambers laterally extending in a medial to lateral direction of the bladder. A bottom surface of the chamber may include at least one bond that laterally extends across the bottom surface of the chamber from one side edge to another side edge of the chamber in the medial to lateral direction. The bond may cooperate with an indentation in the bottom surface that separates one subchamber from an adjacent subchamber. A diameter of the subchambers may decrease in a direction from a heel region of the bladder to a forefoot region of the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe with a sole unit, where the sole unit includes a recess for removably receiving a housing of an electronic assembly, for example, an electronic pedometer, an accelerometer, or a speed sensor. Further, the invention relates to a housing for receiving an electronic assembly, for example, a pedometer, an accelerometer, or a speed sensor, where the housing has an outer shape corresponding to the shape of a recess formed in a shoe sole.

Abstract: A step-counting shoe comprises a power generation device, a pedometer device, and a display device. When the step-counting shoe is applied with a force, the power generation device produces electrical energy by electromagnetic induction or piezoelectric effect without external power supply, so as to generate power for the pedometer device and the display device automatically during the user walking. Additionally, the present invention provides a variety of types of power generation devices, so a suitable power generation device can be adopted depending on the power demand, thickness of step-counting shoe, and/or costs.

Abstract: A sole for an article of footwear includes a fiber-reinforced polymer plate extending from a heel area of the article of footwear to a toe area of the article of footwear, wherein flexibility of the fiber-reinforced polymer plate varies as a function of location along a longitudinal axis of the fiber-reinforced polymer plate, and wherein the fiber-reinforced polymer plate includes a stiffening layer disposed at a midfoot area of the fiber-reinforced polymer plate.

Abstract: A dragline bucket includes a main body moveable between a digging orientation and a dumping orientation and a pivotable spreader beam coupled to the main body at a pivot point. The dragline bucket further includes an energy capture mechanism including an actuator coupled to the main body and the pivotable spreader beam and an energy storage mechanism coupled to the actuator.

Abstract: A ground engaging support structure such as an adapter is mounted on the front edge of an excavating bucket lip in a manner inhibiting side-to-side movement of the installed adapter, and shielding the front bucket lip edge from operational wear at the adapter installation location using opposing tapered block members secured to the front lip edge for movement toward a forwardly projecting stabilizing portion of the lip edge. As the adapter is telescoped onto the front lip edge over its stabilizing projection, correspondingly tapered portions of the adapter engage the block members and move them toward one another and toward the stabilizing projection. Rear leg portions of the adapter are then suitably secured to the bucket lip. The repositioned block members interposed between the adapter the front bucket lip edge then inhibit side-to-side shifting of the installed adapter while also shielding the lip edge from operational abrasion wear.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting ground engaging tools to a lip of an excavator bucket or similar is disclosed. The coupling uses an eccentric rotating lock, whereby rotation of the lock alters the distance between bearing surfaces and thus allows tightening of the lock.

Abstract: An earth engaging wear member is rearwardly telescoped onto a support member and is releasably retained thereon by specially designed connector apparatus extending through aligned connector openings in the wear and support members. The connector apparatus includes a spool member rearwardly bearing against the wear member, a shim member forwardly spaced apart from the spool member and having a sloping rear surface, and a wedge screw member interposed between the spool and shim members. The wedge screw member has a non-tapered body threadingly engaging the spool member side portion, and a non-threaded, radially sloped surface area rampingly engaging the sloped shim surface area. Threaded advancement of the wedge screw member rearwardly moves the wear member relative to the support member to tighten an operationally-created loosened interfit therebetween.

Abstract: A heating appliance including a metal substrate, at least a part of which is covered with a self-cleaning coating including at least one oxidation catalyst selected from the platinoid oxides, and at least one dopant of said oxidation catalyst selected from the rare-earth oxides. The self-cleaning coating is a bilayer coating including: an inner layer at least partially covering the metal substrate and including the dopant; and an outer layer in contact with the ambient air and including the oxidation catalyst. Also provided is a method for producing such a heating appliance.

Abstract: A badge for displaying indicia includes a base plate, a top panel coupled to the base plate and defining an opening, a strip removably disposed between the base plate and the top panel and at least partially disposed underneath the opening, and a window panel disposed between the base plate and the top panel and above the strip relative to the base plate, a portion of the window panel being viewable through the opening.

Abstract: The card forming a support for a valuable object, particularly a small precious metal ingot incorporated in said card, includes a core with a through aperture in which said valuable object is arranged, said through aperture having larger dimensions than those defined by the contour of said valuable object in the main geometric plane of said card. This valuable object is located in a central area of the through aperture so that a transparent peripheral area surrounds the valuable object inside said through aperture. The valuable object is embedded in a transparent resin which entirely fills the area peripheral to said valuable object between said object and the contour of the through aperture, so that the space remaining in the aperture around the valuable object is entirely filled by the resin.

Abstract: The auricular livestock identification tag comprising a male portion having a head at an end of a narrower stem, the head protruding laterally from the stem by an abutment ledge, and a female portion having an annular body with an axial aperture, and an insertion side opposite an exposure side, and a plurality of resilient abutment members extending inwardly from the annular body into the axial aperture, the abutment members being flexible to allow penetration of the head through the axial aperture from the insertion side to the exposure side, and resilient so as to return toward its original position, and under the abutment ledge, after said penetration, to thereafter prevent retraction of the head through the axial aperture.

Abstract: A top sizer clip according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a body having a pair of side walls joined at their ends and an open bottom for receiving a hook member of a garment hanger. Each side wall includes an inner surface and an opposite outer surface and an opening formed therethrough. Wherein along the inner surface a first inner portion is formed above the opening and extends toward a top of the body; a second inner portion is formed below the opening and extends to a bottom edge of the body; a first outer portion is formed along the outer surface above the opening and extends to the top and a second outer portion is formed along the outer surface below the opening and extends to the bottom edge. The second inner portion is recessed relative to the second inner portion and the first outer portion is recessed relative to the second outer portion.

Abstract: A safety sign system comprises one or more traffic or informational signs, an expandable pole, a detachable umbrella canopy assembly, and a safety finial assembly. The signs are removably attached to a sleeve that surrounds a portion of a pole and rests upon a sign support. The sleeve with the signs attached swivels about the pole. The umbrella canopy assembly is attached to an upper end of the pole and may include additional features including reflective tape, vents, drop-down flaps, reflective coating, and lights. The safety finial assembly is removably attached to the top of the umbrella canopy assembly and may include flag supports, removable flags, and a safety light assembly. The safety sign system optionally further comprises a collapsible seat, a beverage holder, a satellite tracking device, a communication device, a base, and a control panel for operating the safety light and other features.

Abstract: A display frame according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a plurality of frame sections forming a rectangular perimeter around a backing member. Each of the plurality of frame sections includes a base member, a rotatable cover member hinged to the base member, a channel attached to the cover member, and a spring mechanism interposed between the base member and the cover member to bias the cover member in an open position and a closed position. In various embodiments, the display frame further includes an insert that is slidably received in one of the channels. In one embodiment, the insert at least partially forms the front face of one the frame sections and displays at least one of text and graphics. In another embodiment, the insert includes a mounting feature for mounting an object to the display frame.

Abstract: Double stack magazines have a tubular body defining an elongated passage and a lower and upper end, a floor plate element connected to the lower end, an elongated separator element within the passage, a follower defining an aperture receiving the separator element and movable within the elongated passage, a spring within the passage having a first end contacting the floor plate, and having an opposed second end contacting and biasing the follower toward the upper end of the body. The separator may be a rod spaced apart from the body surfaces. The spring may be spaced apart from the separator element. The spring may be a coil spring having multiple winds, each encompassing the separator element. The separator element may be medially located in the body. The separator element may be positioned to define first and second stack passages between the left and right side walls and the separator element.

Abstract: Comprising a firing mechanism, a chamber (3) joined to a fork (4), a barrel (2), a butt (1) and means of fixing the butt (1) to the fork (4), characterised in that said fork (4) comprises at least one projecting stop (6) secured to the outside of said fork (4) which, when the fork (4) is positioned on the butt (1), said stop (6) is fitted into its corresponding housing (5) located on the butt (1) and in that the referred stop (6), of which there is at least one, is positioned after the weld (10) in relation to user's firing position.

Abstract: A viscoelastic barrel dampener operable to increase the accuracy of a weapon having a shroud, the shroud defining a shroud wall and a chamber within the shroud wall, a barrel, the barrel disposed within the chamber of the shroud and defining a barrel wall having an outer surface, and a viscoelastic dampening material, the viscoelastic dampening material disposed within and substantially filling a volume defined by the outer surface of the barrel and the shroud wall, wherein the barrel further includes one or more contour features adapted to disrupt the axial propagation of acoustic energy along the barrel wall. In at least one embodiment, the one or more contour features may include a plurality of parallel barrel walls, radial grooves, or steps formed in the outer surface.

Abstract: A sight frame with which the user can convert a handgun into a rifle-like gun is disclosed. The sight frame includes a frame part and stock, as well as an intermediate slide and locking and guide structures in such a manner that said locking and guide structures are arranged on the sight frame for fast attachment to a handgun and that said intermediate slide is by means of the lifting force provided by the locking and guide structures to the handgun arranged to support itself play free against the slide of the handgun along a major portion of the slide and to support itself through the guide surfaces play free against the guide surfaces arranged on the frame part of the sight frame.

Abstract: A decoy apparatus, which in various aspects; the decoy apparatus may include a motor adapted to rotate a decoy body in a plane of rotation. The decoy apparatus may include a clamp adapted to detachably secure a decoy appendage, and an appendage servo in mechanical cooperation with the clamp to move the clamp and decoy appendage secured within the clamp in a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation. The decoy apparatus includes a power source adapted to provide electrical power to the motor and to provide electrical power to the appendage servo, in various aspects. In various aspects, the decoy apparatus includes a remote transmitter to generate wireless signals adapted to direct motions of the decoy body servo and the appendage servo.

Abstract: A swiveling tip for a fishing rod includes a housing with a barrel positioned therein and a roller. The housing includes a first bore for receiving the barrel and a second bore for receiving a fishing rod. The barrel is capable of rotating 360° around a longitudinal axis of the second bore. The barrel has a guiding assembly at a distal end thereof and nose member, which together with the roller, guides and receives a fishing line therebetween.

Abstract: An artificial fishing bait comprising a body having an anterior end, a posterior end, a dorsum, and a ventrum, with the body being defined by an anteroposterior axis within a mid-sagittal plane. The body comprises at least one surface defining a dorsal channel in the dorsum. An opening extends through the body between the dorsum and the ventrum. A hook having a hook eyelet, a shank, a bend and a tip is fastened to an eyelet and extends through the opening. In the set position, the hook tip rests in the dorsal channel, with lateral movement of the bend being limited by the sidewall of the opening.

Abstract: A collared fishing lure having a pivotable hook. The fishing lure can include a head, a stem extending from the head, the stem having a collar disposed at a distal end thereof, the diameter of the collar being greater than the diameter of the stem, a coupling, disposed at the distal end of the stem, for removably attaching a hook thereto, the coupling adapted to allow the hook to pivot with respect to the stem.

Abstract: Fishing lures are disclosed herein. An embodiment includes a fishing lure comprising: a rotatable lure body having an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface includes one or more spaced helical grooves configured to effect rotation of the rotatable lure body during retrieval through water; and a hook coupled to the rotatable lure body, wherein the rotatable lure is configured to rotate independently of the hook; wherein the fishing lure is a topwater fishing lure.

Abstract: A fishing lure which includes a body and an eye for attaching a fishing line thereto. The eye is attached to the body. A hook is pivotally attached to the body and normally biased in a retracted position, the hook has a fully exposed hook end. In the retracted position when the line is oriented substantially along a vertical direction the hook shank is oriented substantially along a horizontal direction. The hook is capable of pivoting between a retracted position and a fully extended position.

Abstract: A detachable sinker automatically detaches from fishing line after immersion in water. The sinker includes weight attachable to the line by means of a rapidly disintegrating water soluble material that when dry withstands a casting load and when wet rapidly dissolves. The weight may be biodegradable or dissolvable. The sinker may include a wildlife attractant released by the disintegrating material or by the dissolvable weight, may be rated according to time or depth at which the weight or attractant will release from the line, may display readable indicia corresponding to a weight value, a release time, or a depth, and may include an attachment means coupling the disintegrating material to the line, such as an elongated clamp for compressing the fishing line and the disintegrating material or a perforated attachment for threading the disintegrating material therethrough. The sinker may be an assembly including the detachable sinker and a fixed sinker.

Abstract: Generation of a liquid fuel product in an integrated multiple zone plant is discussed. Syngas components are supplied to a methanol (CH3OH) synthesis reactor from outputs of a first zone containing a torrefaction unit and a second zone containing a biomass gasifier that are combined in parallel and that thermally decompose biomass at different operating temperatures. Char particles of the biomass generated in the first zone are fed to the biomass gasifier in the second zone. Gasoline is produced via a methanol to gasoline process in a third zone, which receives its methanol derived from the syngas components fed to the methanol synthesis reactor. The gasoline derived from biomass is blended with condensable volatile materials including C5+ hydrocarbons collected during the pyrolyzation of the biomass in the torrefaction unit in the first zone in order to increase an octane rating of the blended gasoline.

Abstract: Methods to convert a cellulosic material into a bio-oil. In one embodiment, the method comprises (a) contacting the cellulosic material with a liquid solvent in an inert atmosphere at a reaction temperature in the range from equal to or more than about 260° C. to equal to or less than about 400° C. to produce a product mixture; (b) separating a middle fraction from the product mixture to produce a product mixture middle fraction. A first portion of the product mixture middle fraction can be recycled as part of the liquid solvent in step a). At least part of the product mixture is hydrotreated before at least a portion of a middle fraction of the treated product mixture is recycled as part of the liquid solvent in step a).

Abstract: A gasoline deposit control additive composition for use in a fuel comprising from about 70 to about 95 volume percent of hydrocarbons in the gasoline boiling range and from about 5 to about 30 volume percent of at least one alcohol, comprising the imine or tertiary amine product of the reaction between (a) at least one aldehyde or ketone or mixture thereof having the formula R16CHO, R16CH2CHO, R17(C=0)R18 or R17CH2(C=0)R18, wherein R16, R17, and R18 are the same or different and are each independently a straight or branched chain hydrocarbyl or aryl group that contains from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and (b) a primary or secondary amine functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for extracting lipid from vegetative plant parts such as leaves, stems, roots and tubers, and for producing industrial products such as hydrocarbon products from the lipids. Preferred industrial products include alkyl esters which may be blended with petroleum based fuels.

Abstract: Methods for forming hydrocarbon products from bacteria, namely, bacteria which produce fatty acids, are disclosed. The methods involve the bacterial production of fatty acids, the thermal decarboxylation of the resulting fatty acids, the hydrocracking and isomerization of the decarboxylation product, and the distillation to yield the desired hydrocarbon fractions. The products can be isolated in the gasoline, jet and/or diesel fuel ranges. Thus, bacteria can be used to produce products in the gasoline, jet and/or diesel fuel ranges which are virtually indistinguishable from those derived from their petroleum-based analogs.

Abstract: Systems and processes for the production of fuel and fuel blends involve the production of fuels for blending with one or more alcohols such as ethanol and/or butanol. A method for producing a fuel blend includes blending a light distillate product from an oil refinery with butanol. The fuel blending can be at the oil refinery.

Abstract: A radiant heat chemical reactor is configured to generate chemical products including synthesis gas products. Two or more tubes in the radiant heat chemical reactor separate an exothermic heat source, such as flames and gas from a regenerative burner, from the endothermic reaction of the reactant gas occurring within the cavity of the refractory vessel. The exothermic heat source heats a space inside the tubes. One or more feed lines supply chemical reactants to the cavity area between an inner wall of the cavity of the refractory vessel of the chemical reactor and the two or more tubes that are internally heated located with the cavity.

Abstract: The Present Invention is a fire starting device for use as kindling manufactured from pine straw, as the primary component, a vegetable oil, natural resins, and an herbal component. The composition of the device differs from prior art devices that burn petroleum hydrocarbons. The device is hollow, having at least one vertical channel and at least one horizontal channel drilled from the outer wall of the device to the inner vertical channel. The fire starter device is ignited from the top, and it burns to produce a high, intense flame that ignites other flammable materials having a much greater kindling temperature. The height of the flame and the burn duration are controlled by the overall size of the device and the sizes of the channels. The device burns clean with a minimum of smoke and harmful or noxious fumes. Burning the device minimally creates air pollution. It burns completely with a minimum of ash residue.

Abstract: A product is provided comprising at least one densified biomass particulate having a substantially smooth, non-flakey outer surface and containing no added binder, wherein said densified biomass particulate is comprised of a plurality of pretreated lignin-coated plant biomass fibers which contain a trace amount of base from pretreatment of said fibers. Methods for using and making the product are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is predicated upon methods and devices for forming numerous articles for various applications including nutritional applications, medicinal applications, or other useful applications for plants, animals or otherwise. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods and devices for forming high quality pellets using alginates as a retention agent for the ingredients. This may be achieved through the creation or modification of pre-existing forming devices, wherein an alginate applicator is provided for applying the alginate to the ingredients, before, during or after formation of the articles, or combinations thereof, to retain the ingredients of the articles together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel system and to a process for the production of such a fuel system by using urban sewage sludge. Environment protective energetic use of urban sewage sludge and the reduction of fossil Carbon dioxide are the important goals. The fuel system according to the present invention shows a content of fossil carbon which is clearly reduced compared to that of fossil fuels while the fuel-technological properties are the same. Thus the emission of the carbon dioxide based on fossil carbon is notably reduced during the use of the fuel system according to the invention. In one embodiment of the process according to the invention, the fuel system according to the invention is provided consisting of different fossil regular fuels and urban sewage sludge as biogenic carbon donor, with biomasses serving as a biogenic carbon donor.

Abstract: Devices and method for arranging objects for display in a container such as a vase. The top designed to be utilized on a particular vase includes holes in locations selected for a particular arrangement. The top can be integrated into the vase, designed for removal, or a separate device. A false bottom in the vase enables accurate cutting of the length of the objects to be inserted. In addition a method for utilizing the devices to properly arrange the objects is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is related to methods and system for planting and selection. In particular, seeds from transformed plants or transformed explants are evenly dispenses on a pre-determined area using the methods and systems provided. The methods and systems disclosed use a combination of an air-powered or gas-assisted dispensing system to evenly dispense seeds or explants in a high throughput manner. In some embodiments, a 5-16 folds greater density than previous methods can be achieved with the systems and methods disclosed. In some embodiments, the air-powered systems disclosed can be modified from commercially available vacuum pen apparatus.

Abstract: A plant drainage and hydrating system for pots with or without drainage capability. A felt layer is shaped to abut a generally flat surface, with the layer having a determined depth and having a structure to store and filter passing therethrough and support earth above the flat surface for drainage. One form of the invention has a single felt layer. A second form of the invention has first and second felt layers, separated by a spacer, with the layers connected through the spacer.

Abstract: A watering/drainage arrangement for a multi-layer horticultural structure wherein during watering, water from a series of water release outlets is sprayed through an aperture of a flood tray which fills to a selected level and maintained at this level by the continued supply of sprayed water through the water release outlets and the drainage of overflow via a weir edge of the flood tray and during drainage, supply of water to the release outlets is terminated thereby preventing water being sprayed into the aperture of the flood tray thereby allowing the discharge of water through the aperture of the flood tray.

Abstract: A portable device and a method for the decorative design of fields and grass surfaces with graphics, texts, logos, reliefs, engraved designs, or patterns is presented, where the transfer of the design to the surface is carried out by means of a principle analogous to that used in a plotter or printer. The device is so conceived that at least one guiding element with at least one treatment actuator for applying a design to a surface is guided in a circular motion around a reference point by means of a drive unit. A circular treatment area results from this rotational movement. Within this treatment area, each point can be reached by the treatment actuator (realized e.g. as a spraying device having at least one nozzle) for the application of the design. The control mechanism of the device ensures that the treatment actuator undertakes the application of the design to the surface either while passing over the point to be treated or after positioning is complete.

Abstract: Provided is a method of reforming a produced gas to reform tar contained in the produced gas from a gasification furnace. Quick lime comes in contact with a produced gas (3) from a gasification furnace (2) in a reformer (1) such that the quick lime absorbs carbon dioxide in the produced gas to generate calcium carbonate, and reforming reaction of the tar is performed with calcium as a catalyst using heat of reaction emitted during that time. In addition, as the calcium carbonate of the reformer (1) is supplied and burnt in a reforming agent regenerator (8), the quick lime is regenerated and supplied into the reformer (1) again. According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a method and device for reforming a produced gas that are capable of simplifying equipment and operation thereof.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock gasifier (gasifier) is provided with: a heat transmission surface disposed within a gasification region of a gasifier configured from a pressure vessel for generating produced gas by partially oxidizing coal which is a hydrocarbon feedstock; a heat exchanger disposed on the path of a circulation line for a circulation medium circulating within the heat transmission surface and for exchanging the heat of the circulation medium; and a circulation pump for circulating the circulation medium.

Abstract: Provided are a method and a device for efficiently decomposing gas hydrate pellets and extracting gas. That is, provided is a method for decomposing gas hydrate characterized by supplying gas hydrate pellets to a decomposition vessel, damming and gathering densely the pellets on a downstream side in the decomposition vessel, and passing hot water through this pellet layer which is in a densely gathered state, to thereby decompose the pellets into water and gas.